Family law solicitor - Inheritance

edenbridge146

Hi folks

Mods - don't want 'legal advice' and don't want to upset any rules on forum so forgive me if this is in the wrong section

My dad passed away last October. He was 89 and mum was his carer.

Dad's 'best friend' (we will name him 'John') has been showing a very unhealthy interest in my mum who has terminal cancer sitting on a house worth in region of 900,000k since dad passed. We never got to see Dads will and I suppose with mums illness and the funeral etc we didn't want to upset mum by asking as felt that she would tell us the contents of it - but she didn't!

Slowly over the last 9 months, John who is a married man calls every day, mum makes him dinner and he's now even got a key for the family home.
Ironically - John's wife is the secretary of mums solicitor.

Me & my sister don't have keys to the family home.

I had words with him in March - asking him what his intentions were driving my mum out everyday with lockdown going on and bring the tank of oxygen with them. I then received a solicitors letter from mum on Johns instruction because I used the 'wrong tone of voice' to my mums support network.

He calls every night after work. We are not allowed to call.

Mum is very easily led I suppose due to her vulnerable state - she has now turned against me and my sister, pushing us away cos 'John' will be there. 'John' said to get new windows in the house against the equity of the house, 'John' said he'd collect her from chemo. 'John' won't allow mums best friend to stay in house as its not fair for mum to take on that responsibility of another person in the house.

Me and sister have both had phone calls from mums friends asking "what is going on ?? Every time we ring your mother its John this, or John that - don't call to the house as John is coming over"

She actually told my sister, that incase I contest the will, she wants my sister to side with John and fight me in the court.....like does this sound of a sound mother ??

John even told not to send sister a birthday card - he's just taking over and mum is allowing it. Even taking down all of dads pictures.

We have to make an appt to call to see her - despite her having lung cancer John brings her out in the car for dinners and even with Pandemic he doesn't seem to care.

Apparently mum has changed her will solely for her new found friend (who we reckon she is having an affair with) and he is been given full control of the house and he is to manage my sister as she wouldn't be able apparently???

As a result if mum dies we have to go through her friend 'John' or the solicitor to get access to the house

Now I don't have/want an 'entitlement' to the inheritance to the family home but I think its morally wrong what he's doing - cashing in on a grieving widow who is terminally ill.

Mums time is limited as she's now on weekly chemo

Any advice appreciated

banie01

I would suggest reading up on elder abuse.
Start with this https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/birth_family_relationships/problems_in_marriages_and_other_relationships/elder_abuse.html#:~:text=Elder%20abuse%20is%20the%20abuse,take%20place%20in%20any%20situation.

The primary aim here should be to protect your mother from isolation and undue influence.
Good luck.

nuac

Mod
CLosed for Mods' review